Our children’s nutrition is vital to their health and development, both in school and in sports. Teach your kids about healthy choices today to establish healthy habits for tomorrow. Set a good example by involving them in meal planning, introducing them to cooking and portion control and getting active!

If you’re pregnant you have probably heard the phrase eating for two. It’s true that a pregnant woman's calorie intake grows during pregnancy, but simply doubling your calorie intake is not the solution for you or your baby.

About Us

Founded in Hawaii in 1851, Dole Food Company, Inc., with 2010 revenues of $6.9 billion, is the world's largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. Dole markets a growing line of packaged and frozen foods, and is a produce industry leader in nutrition education and research. The Company does business in more than 90 countries and employs, on average, 36,000 full-time, regular employees and 23,000 full-time seasonal or temporary employees, worldwide.

DOLE FOOD COMPANY, INC. STOCKHOLDERS APPROVE MERGER PROPOSAL

Westlake Village, California - March 26, 2003

Dole Food Company, Inc. (NYSE:DOL) today announced that its stockholders approved the going-private merger agreement under which David H. Murdock, Dole's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will acquire the approximately 76% of Dole's common stock that he and his affiliates do not already own for $33.50 per share in cash.

Votes "FOR" the merger totaled approximately 43.3 million shares, or 77% of the outstanding shares. Votes "AGAINST" the merger totaled approximately 386,514 shares and holders of 29,967 shares abstained. Approximately 70% of the shares held by stockholders other than Mr. Murdock and his affiliates voted "FOR" the merger.

"I am very pleased that Dole stockholders voted in favor of the going-private merger transaction," said Mr. Murdock.

The transaction is expected to close promptly following completion of the necessary financing. Currently, Dole anticipates that the closing will occur on March 28, 2003.

Dole Food Company, Inc., with 2002 revenues of $4.4 billion, is the world's largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and fresh-cut flowers, and markets a growing line of packaged goods.

This release contains "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements, which are based on management's current expectations, are generally identifiable by the use of terms such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "intends" and similar expressions. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied herein include weather-related phenomena; market responses to industry volume pressures; product and raw materials supplies and pricing; electrical power supply and pricing; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; economic crises and security risks in developing countries; international conflict; and quotas, tariffs and other governmental actions. Further information on the factors that could affect Dole's financial results is included in its SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Responsibility

Dole Food Company, Inc. and Dole Packaged Foods believe that in order to perpetuate sustainability it is of the utmost importance to treat our people, resources, environment and community as our most precious assets. In order to protect its greatest assets, Dole has built its sustainability strategy on four pillars: water management, carbon footprint, soil conservation and packaging.

About the DNI

The Dole Nutrition Institute (DNI) was founded by David H. Murdock in 2003 as a research and education foundation within Dole Food Company. Now in his 90's, Mr. Murdock is an ardent practitioner of a nutrient-dense, plant-based diet and a true believer in the power of a variety of fruits and vegetables to promote health and longevity. The DNI is comprised of scientists who conduct cutting-edge, nutrition-based research at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis, North Carolina. From Dole's corporate offices in Westlake Village, CA, a dedicated Nutrition and Health Communication specialist, who is also a Registered Dietitian, reports on the latest health-promoting findings to the public through various publications and media outlets. An Executive Admin provides support to both locations to complete the team which endeavors to fulfill the DNI's mission of "feeding the world with knowledge."

Premium Products, Dole Dedication

Dole Foodservice products have been satisfying the most discriminating patrons of restaurants and other foodservice operations for nearly a century. Our premium quality products are specially designed to meet the unique operational needs of foodservice operators. Dole backs its dedication to quality with comprehensive food safety programs, stringent quality control measures, and ongoing research and innovation.